Farewell for Xabi Alonso Ends in 2–2 Draw as Schick Shares Golden Boot Battle

Bayer Leverkusen closed their Bundesliga season with a dramatic 2–2 draw away at Mainz — a match that doubled as a farewell to head coach Xabi Alonso and a final push for Patrik Schick in the Golden Boot race.

Leverkusen were motivated by two goals: sending Alonso off with a win before his expected move to Real Madrid, and helping Schick overtake Serhou Guirassy in the league’s scoring charts.

Bundesliga: Fixtures, Results & Standings

Schick Delivers, But Guirassy Matches

Patrik Schick put in a spirited performance. The Czech striker earned and converted a penalty to level the match and later gave Bayer the lead with his second goal. But Mainz responded with a spot-kick of their own to make it 2–2.

Meanwhile, Guirassy scored in their parallel fixture, meaning both players finished the campaign with 21 Bundesliga goals — tied in second place behind the league’s top scorer.

Alonso’s Legacy Sealed

Xabi Alonso ends his Leverkusen tenure having led the club to their first-ever Bundesliga title and an invincible league season, capturing global attention for his tactical brilliance and calm leadership.

2024-25, Germany - Bundesliga

Mainz 05 - Bayer 04 2:2 (1:0)
Goals: Nebel P., 35 (1:0); Schick, 49 (penalty) (1:1); Schick, 54 (1:2); Burkardt, 63 (penalty) (2:2)

Mainz 05: Zentner; Mwene (Widmer, 87); Bell S.; da Costa; Hanche-Olsen; Caci (Veratschnig, 70); Sano; Lee Jae-sung (Hong H., 90); Amiri N. (Maloney, 90); Nebel P.; Burkardt (Weiper, 90)
Bench: Riess L.; Leitsch; Nordin; Sieb A.
Yellow Cards: Bell S. 40; Hanche-Olsen 81

Bayer 04: Hradecky; Hincapie; Tah J.; Tapsoba E.; Grimaldo (Arthur Soares, 25); Hofmann (Andrich, 46); Wirtz; Tella (Adli A., 46); Aleix Garcia (Buendia, 87); Palacios Ex.; Schick
Bench: Lomb; Frimpong J.; Xhaka
Yellow Cards: Palacios Ex. 40; Aleix Garcia 45; Hincapie 59; Arthur Soares 68; Tah J. 83; Wirtz 87